Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
“BE IMITATORS OF GOD”
Ephesians 5:1-2
The Apostle Paul followed Jesus Christ wholly. This doesn’t mean that he was perfect – but it does mean that as much as any man could walk in Christ’s footsteps, Paul did. In I Corinthians 11:1 he exhorts us, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Wow! What a responsibility Paul took on himself!
Paul
instructed the Ephesians to be imitators of God as dear children. How were they and we to imitate God? He tells us. As beloved children we are to walk in love, (having Christ as
our example) - “and walk in love as
Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice
to God as a sweet-smelling aroma.”
“Greater love has no man than this:
that he lay down his life for his friends” Jesus said in John’s gospel. The greatest act of love that a man can
demonstrate is to forfeit his life for another. Beloved, Jesus gave His life for a world that hated Him. Paul wrote in Romans that perhaps some would
give up their life for a friend or a good man – but the Lord Jesus Christ gave
His life for those who were neither good nor friends to Him. How can we imitate that supreme act of
love? Very few will ever be called upon
to give their life in death for another - however, every day we are called upon
to give of our selves to benefit others, believers and unbelievers alike. If we do this with the attitude of serving
Jesus Christ, not expecting anything in return, we are imitating God. This is walking in love. This kind of “living for others” walk
ascends to God as a sacrifice with a fragrant aroma. In order to do this one has to be yielded to the Holy Spirit as,
in our human makeup, it is impossible to live a life which is pleasing to God.
So
this week’s challenge is to let the world of unbelievers – our next-door
neighbor or the person we work with - see our sacrificial life. This will do more to promote evangelism than
anything else. Peter writes in I Peter
3:15 ”but sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being
ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the
hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”. God bless.
Love
to you all,